Heat Shrink That Hardens Permanently?

[mbruffey]

I'm looking for something like heat shrink that will harden and not re-expand/shrink under stress. I'm actually trying to repair the barrel of a 4-way pen, which has cracked. Not exactly a high-priority in a garage I suppose, but I figured that you guys would have some ideas. Thx, M.

 

[rlitman]

Depending on the plastic, a liquid plastic welding hobby cement may be able to fix it.

 

[gungatim]

have you tried hot glue? I repaired a pencil lead that way once. no sharpener available and just happened to have the glue gun handy...

 

[Fender1325]

I cant imagine the stress placed on the pen being too much for a shrink wrap to hold without flex.

 

[mbruffey]

I should have mentioned that the crack runs lengthwise through the threaded portion of one piece (female). Therefore, I am trying to avoid glue, which might clog the threads; I have already tried shrink wrap, and it does loosen/flex after being heated. Maybe that's because it's "HF" grade shrink wrap . . . ? The old thread wrap + fingernail polish (or JB) might work, as suggested.

 

[Heavymetalmechanic]

I have had some luck in similar situations where I needed to repair the threaded portion of a plastic strain relief. I used a small brush to "paint" the male threads with a very light coat of petroleum jelly. Then assembled the parts. Wrapped the split section with fine thread, snug but not so tight that it seizes the 2 parts together. I then brushed multiple light coats of 2 part epoxy onto the threads until I was happy with how sturdy it was. The petroleum jelly kept it from bonding in the threads. It worked well enough to keep my moms old stereo receiver operating for a number of years. Best of luck.

 

[Fender1325]

Just buy a new pen. Not worth the trouble

 

[rtbt]

would this work? https://sugru.com/

 

[7thDimension]

Who repairs a pen?

 

[Strouty]

Who repairs a pen?

Depends on the pen. I have some that I would want to repair, especially ones they don't make anymore.

 

[jmarkwolf]

I'm looking for something like heat shrink that will harden and not re-expand/shrink under stress. I'm actually trying to repair the barrel of a 4-way pen, which has cracked. Not exactly a high-priority in a garage I suppose, but I figured that you guys would have some ideas. Thx, M.

They make the stuff, but it's expensive.

It's filled with glue that melts with applied heat as it's shrinking, and is great stuff.

Last time I looked it was VERY expensive.

 

[srmofo]

They make the stuff, but it's expensive.

It's filled with glue that melts with applied heat as it's shrinking, and is great stuff.

Last time I looked it was VERY expensive.

Its about twice as much as regular heat shrink. Not something I would call expensive though.

Given that, you are trying to repair a plastic pen. Tightly wrap it in electrical tape and go buy a new one the next time you are at the store.

 

[thymer]

Use the marine stuff, it has epoxy already inside of the tube. When you heat it the tube shrinks and activates the epoxy. Stuff is awesome and I use it for everything now, not just the boat.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QCPKE8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[rlitman]

Use the marine stuff, it has epoxy already inside of the tube. When you heat it the tube shrinks and activates the epoxy. Stuff is awesome and I use it for everything now, not just the boat.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000QCPKE8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

It is not epoxy. It is a low melt thermoplastic. Basically hot melt glue.
And it is not very expensive either. Harbor Freight actually sells some as marine grade heat shrink. Their marine grade shrink is also 3x shrinking (pretty darned good).